Eunice Shriver remembered as ‘fearless warrior’

When Heffernan arrived at the church steps, he gently bowed his head as the casket carrying Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s body passed into St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for yesterday morning’s funeral Mass. Along the narrow street in this Cape Cod village, more than 100 adults with developmental disabilities placed their right hands over their heart, beside the Special Olympics medals they wore in tribute to a woman who fought tirelessly on their behalf.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died Tuesday at the age of 88, was remembered as a “fearless warrior for the voiceless’’ who with singular compassion and force of will championed the rights of the intellectually disabled. Born into the country’s most celebrated political family, Shriver dedicated her life to helping those with special needs, often relegated to society’s margins, live fuller lives, friends and relatives said.

“She lived a prominent life, but she was chosen . . . to have a life to serve others,’’ said Loretta Claiborne, a Special Olympian who in a wistful, warm-hearted introduction called Shriver a close friend. “The weakest of the weak. The castaways. The throwaways of society.’’

In a resolute voice, Claiborne recalled Shriver as “a true friend’’ and said she wore light-colored clothes to celebrate her life, rather than mourn her passing.

Shriver, whose sister Rosemary was intellectually disabled, founded the Special Olympics in the early 1960s. Under her leadership it grew from a backyard day camp to an international competition drawing more than 3 million athletes.

Nearly 1,000 people filled the church for the private service, including Vice President Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, the husband of Shriver’s daughter, Maria Shriver.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Kennedy Shriver’s brother, is battling a brain tumor and did not attend. He attended a private family Mass at the Shriver home Tuesday, and took an afternoon sail yesterday with his wife, sister, and other family members, a spokesman said.

After Claiborne’s stirring words, a recording of Shriver’s voice filled the sanctuary with the famous words she spoke at the 1987 Special Olympics at the University of Notre Dame.

“The right to play on any playing field? You have earned it,’’ Shriver said in the distinctive Kennedy accent. “The right to study in any school? You have earned it. The right to hold a job? You have earned it. The right to be anyone’s neighbor? You have earned it.’’

In a eulogy, Maria Shriver remembered her mother as a trailblazer and civil rights advocate, a “force of human nature who more than held her own in a family of highly competitive, high-achieving men.’’ But to her and her four brothers, Shriver said, she was “simply Mummy.’’

“Mummy was our hero. She was scary smart and not afraid to show it. She was tough, but also compassionate. Driven, but also really fun and funny. Competitive, but also empathetic. Restless and patient. Curious and prayerful.’’

Shriver recalled her mother as a fiercely committed and independent woman.

“Our mother never rested; she never stopped,’’ she said. “She was momentum on wheels.’’

The funeral was held at a 100-year-old white-columned church where the Kennedys have gathered for years to worship, celebrate, and grieve. Maria Shriver and Schwarzenegger were married there in 1986, The Rev. Richard N. Fragomeni recalled in his homily. The main altar was donated in memory of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., Shriver’s brother, who died during World War II when his plane crashed in the English Channel in 1944.

After the service, Shriver was laid to rest in a private burial ceremony at the St. Francis Xavier parish cemetery in Centerville. Mourners were led in singing Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young’’ by three Irish musicians who had been sent by Bono, the lead singer of U2.

After mourners filed into the church in a somber procession past a large crowd who lined the narrow street to pay their respects, special-needs adults and those who work with them said that Shriver would be deeply missed, but that her legacy would never fade.

“She has done more for those with special needs than anyone in the world,’’ said Vivian Donnelly, a nurse who works with Cape Abilities, a nonprofit group that provides services for the disabled. “We can’t express what a loss it is.’’

Many of the adults at Cape Abilities had met Shriver, and all were saddened by her death, Donnelly said. Some were worried that the Special Olympics would no longer exist without Shriver, Donnelly said, and were relieved to learn otherwise.

Heffernan said that he had only learned the night before that he had been chosen to carry the torch. He was excited and proud, he said. He looks forward to the Special Olympics each year, he said, and always “gives it his all.’’

His mother, Marguerite Heffernan, who also participated in the procession, competed in some of the first international Special Olympics ever held. The competition, the 53-year-old said, was a life-changing experience.

“They are a wonderful thing,’’ she said. “They build self-esteem and motivation in one’s self. I don’t know what I would have done without them.’’

Several hundred people stood outside the church during the lengthy service and gave the family a sustained ovation when they emerged. Many had no direct connection with Shriver or the Kennedy family, but said it was important and inspiring to them to pay their respects.

“A woman like that, it gives you some hope,’’ said Tony Pina, 48. “A lot of people forget to give back. But she never did. You don’t see that much, and it’s good to see.’’